Lino Lakes garage fire reveals marijuana plants

A garage fire at a Lino Lakes home revealed the remains of a marijuana-growing operation and burned plants; the owner reportedly told police the plants were for his personal use.

The Nov. 18 fire destroyed a detached garage at the home in the 7000 block of Lakeview Drive, said Lino Lakes police Sgt. Dale Hager. After the fire was put out, fire and police investigators noticed several suspicious items in the burned debris, including portable lighting, fans, potting soil, seed balls and the remains of 12 to 20 plants.

Police questioned the property owner, who allegedly said he would typically grow about 20 plants at a time for his personal use, as he did not want to pay money to drug dealers, Hager said.

The case will be referred to the Anoka County attorney's office for possible charges.

Hager said the Centennial Fire Department could not determine a cause for the fire.